Meet Malynn

Meet Malynn

"Each one of the NICU staff members became like a second family to us and they will always hold a special place in our hearts!"

Dayna and Trey Faircloth were living in Bainbridge and expecting their first child when Dayna started having contractions at just 24 weeks into her pregnancy. Dayna and Trey rushed to the Emergency Room and were transferred to Phoebe. The doctor was able to keep Dayna from delivering for eight days, and Dayna was put on bed rest.

On December 22, 2008, Malynn Faircloth was born at 25 weeks and 5 days. Malynn weighed just 1 pound and 13 ounces and was 12 inches long. Malynn was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Dayna and Trey were absolutely terrified. After her unexpected delivery, Dayna had to have kidney stone surgery just two days later. Malynn was on the ventilator for 48 hours, and could not eat for the first week of her life because her stomach was not developed and could not digest any nutrients.

Because home was over an hour away, Dayna and Trey stayed in a hotel for six weeks, and Trey remembers praying for Malynn by her bed each night. Dayna and Trey were finally able to hold Malynn when she was 21 days old, and she gradually gained weight and made progress.

Malynn was sent home March 1, 2009 weighing 4 pounds and 10 ounces. Malynn was underweight for the first few years of her life, but has no residual effects at all. Although it was an uncertain and scary time in their life, Dayna and Trey found ways to make the NICU feel like home. The Faircloths formed a relationship with the family who was beside them in the NICU, and Malynn is still friends with this sweet girl today. Dayna remembers the amazing nurses and doctors in the NICU and is so grateful for everything they did for her little girl. “Each one of the NICU staff members became like a second family to us and they will always hold a special place in our hearts!” Dayna expressed.

It is hard to believe Malynn was so tiny at birth, because she is now the tallest girl in her class. Malynn loves clogging and playing with her best friend, her beagle Lucky. Malynn and her parents come back to the NICU at Phoebe at least once a year to visit the staff and thank them for the miracles that they make possible. When you meet Malynn, it is impossible not to fall in love with her big smile and big heart! This world is lucky to have a miracle like Malynn!

For more information, call Phoebe Foundation at 229-312-4483 or toll-free at 877-312-4483. You can also email Phoebe Foundation at rbmiller@ppmh.org.